Louisville Laughs is proud to have comedian Mike Larsen headlining a comedy show on Saturday, Sept. 19. at Roselynn Hill Winery in Jeffersontown.
Mike is a longtime comic, Emmy-nominated writer for sitcoms such as The Drew Carey show, Whoopi and 2 Guys and a Girl.
He will be joined at Monnik with comics Jordan Berry, Desirae Duncan and host Creig Ewing.
You can get tickets here. Use Promo Code MIKE and save $5 per ticket while they last.
Whoopi Goldberg and Mike Larsen
Mike took the time to answer 5 Questions from Louisville Laughs.
Louisville Laughs: You peform standup, have a long career of writing for sitcoms and also wrote political speeches. What’s the difference between a joke that works in standup vs. TV vs. a speech?
Mike Larsen: Everything I do begins with my ability to write jokes. I was obsessed with how jokes worked as a kid, and once I figured out I could make my mom laugh at the dinner table, I knew I found my calling.
Joke writing teaches us how to make our point with as few words as possible and elicit a response from our audience. That skill works whether I’m writing a speech, a screenplay or standup material. Jokes are about manipulating an audience to laugh.
The same trick can be used to manuipulate them to think, cry, or vote.
LL: You also put on writing workshops. What’s the most common trap new comics fall into? Also, what’s the best way to improve?
Mike: Let’s first assume the person we’re talking about is naturally funny. If that’s not the case, there’s a limit to what jokewriting can do for them.
The biggest writing trap comics fall in is not doing enough of it. They go on stage with premises that are funny in their head, then get upset when the audience isn’t on the same page.
I do this sometimes, too. A funny premise is the raw material — it might be strong enough to get a laugh on its own, but a real pro puts the work in to mine the gold buried in the premise.
I never stop working a premise — there’s almost always a better joke (or an extra one) waiting to be extracted.
LL: What’s one secret to coming up with quality jokes even when you’re not feeling inspired?
Mike: Write to the surprise. This is the real skill of a professional comedy writer. On some TV shows, I have to deliver 15-20 quality jokes a day. Doesn’t mattter if I’m in a bad mood, had a fight with my wife, or found out my dog had cancer.
If I got hung up on writing perfect punchlines, I’d never get started. But I can find something surprising to say about any topic, at any time. I teach my students: a joke is a short story with a surprise ending. Write to the surprise and the funny will follow.
LL:What’s the biggest change in standup comedy since you started?
Mike: Self-marketing. There are a lot of great comics who can’t market worth a damn, and a WHOLE LOT of mediocre comics who are social media whizzes.
I came up at a time when the clubs did the marketing. My job was to show up and be funny enough so the patrons bought drinks. The amount of time comics spend now on marketing is time they don’t spend on writing and improving their acts.
LL: What is your comedy horror story?
Mike: I’ve had plenty of rough shows and worked with some nightmare headliners, but I tend to forget those stories. I’ll tell you the toughest act I ever had to follow — and it was my very first real open mic:
I grew up in San Francisco, which at the time was a comedy mecca. I signed up for a mic at Cobb’s Pub — now a legendary comedy club — but just a neighborhood bar that did comedy then.
Dana Carvey (of SNL fame) was a local comic and the emcee that night. I signed up and was put at the bottom of the list. Right before I went on, after 3 hours of comedy, Robin Wlliams dropped in. He did 45 minutes and of course, killed.
I wanted to leave, but Dana made me go up. I had brought my brother, my best friend, and a woman I liked to see the show — and while I was utterly sucking on stage, I looked down to see my crush holding hands with my best friend.
A list of the upcoming comedy shows and open mics in the Louisville area and information to sign up or order tickets. You can also sign up to get on stage yourself.
SIGN UP TO PERFORM
Sign up to perform at Louisville Laughs open mics HERE
Sign up to be considered for Louisville Laughs shows or showcasesHERE
CHECK OUT UPCOMING SHOWS AND OPEN MICS
Wednesday, Sept. 9
7 p.m. — Louisville Laughs presents: Wednesday Open Mic at TEN20 with guest host TyraG and special guest Brandy Norton, TEN20 Craft Brewery. Free. Sign up to perform HERE
8 p.m. — The LRS Laugh Lounge open mic comedy, Mr. G’s Comedy Spot, Middletown. Free. Show up and sign up.
8:30 p. m. — Dive Bar mic, dive Bar on Frankfort, 2235 Frankfort Ave, Louisville. Free. To sign up email divebarmic@gmail.com
Friday, Sept. 25
1 p.m. — LaughWest presents: DayLaughing with Friends clean, family-friendly open mic, Canvas and Cocktails, 2804 Crums Lane, Shively.Sign up to perform
8 p.m. — The LRS Laugh Lounge open mic comedy, Mr. G’s Comedy Spot, Middletown. Free. Show up and sign up.
8:30 p. m. — Dive Bar mic, dive Bar on Frankfort, 2235 Frankfort Ave, Louisville. Free. To sign up email divebarmic@gmail.com
Friday, Oct. 2
1 p.m. — LaughWest presents: DayLaughing with Friends clean, family-friendly open mic, Canvas and Cocktails, 2804 Crums Lane, Shively.Sign up to perform
8 p.m. — The LRS Laugh Lounge open mic comedy, Mr. G’s Comedy Spot, Middletown. Free. Show up and sign up.
8:30 p. m. — Dive Bar mic, dive Bar on Frankfort, 2235 Frankfort Ave, Louisville. Free. To sign up email divebarmic@gmail.com
Friday, Oct. 9
1 p.m. — LaughWest presents: DayLaughing with Friends clean, family-friendly open mic, Canvas and Cocktails, 2804 Crums Lane, Shively.Sign up to perform
To sign up for weekly Wednesday open mics with Louisville Laughs plus other monthly mics, fill out this form
Sundays — The Sunday Sh!t Show, all-entertainment showcase with Uncool Randy, Planet of the Tapes. Message @UncoolRandy on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. Starting Nov. 10, signups will start at 5 p.m. and show at 5:30
Sundays — Comedy Attack! open mic, Kaiju. First Sunday of the month. Show up and sign upstarting at 9:30 p.m.
Mondays — The Planet of the Tapes Monday Mic, Planet of the Tapes. Show starts at 7:30 p.m. To sign up, email planetofthetapesopenmic@gmail.com
Wednesdays — The Wednesday Comedy Late Mic, Jane, 712 E. Market Street. Sign ups at 9:30
Thursdays — The LRS Laugh Lounge open mic comedy,Mr. G’s Comedy Spot, Middletown, 8 p.m. Show up and sign up.
Thursdays — Dive Bar mic, dive Bar on Frankfort, 2235 Frankfort Ave, Louisville, 8:30 p.m. To sign up email divebarmic@gmail.com
Fridays — LaughWest presents: DayLaughing with Friends clean family-friendly open mic at 1 p.m. Canvas and Cocktails, 2804 Crums Lane, Shively.Sign up to perform
Louisville Laughs: You have multiple comedy specials and albums, appeared on all the Late Night shows, have two podcasts, an illustrated joke book, you’re a musician and actor. What do you do in all your spare time and what accomplishment are you most proud of?
Myq Kaplan: Thank you for asking, and for those kind words!
How much spare time do YOU have?
I am grateful for it all. I’ve gotten to perform at Carnegie Hall. I’ve gotten to meet, work with, and become friends with heroes of mine like Maria Bamford, Emo Philips, Gary Gulman, and more. I’ve made Howard Stern Laugh.
I’ve created hours of comedy that I love, and that others have loved. My most recent special, “Rini,” is something I’m particularly proud of because it’s a collaboration with my girlfriend of the past 10 years, Rini. I’m thrilled that we were able to create something so joyful and meaningful, a creative partnership arising out of our romantic one.
And as far as spare time goes, I have a joke that goes like this: “In my spare time, I’ve been working on a 4D printer that prints more spare time.”
I wrote that joke in my spare time.
LL: Where did the name Myq come from?
Myq: When I was about 14, I was at summer camp when Prince (the artist formerly known as “The Artist Formerly Known As Prince”) changed his name to a symbol. I didn’t know why, but I thought it was weird and cool, and I decided that I would be weird and cool like Prince.
Of course, there are a FEW differences between Prince and me. He’s got a few more albums, but at least my name change doesn’t necessitate the development of a new button for your keyboard (you’re welcome).
Later, I found out that his shift was due to some kind record label dispute, and eventually he switched back, leaving me the lone weird, cool name-changed standard-bearer. I’m out here now doing what Prince is no longer doing!
AND I just thought it would be fun to change all the letters of my name except the first initial, just in case anyone gets me anything monogrammed.
LL: Do psychedelics help with comedy or joke writing?
Myq: Have I had experiences with psychedelics that have been profoundly meaningful and beautiful in ways that have included leading me to create comedy differently? Yes.
Do I recommend it as a writing tool for beginning comedians? No. I recommend starting with a pen or pencil.
LL: What advice would you give comics who are trying to book spots as a feature or headliner?
Myq: Write and perform. Write and perform. Write and perform.
And in addition to writing and performing, do like Pete Holmes has said, and “live a life worth commenting on.”
Work on yourself. Go to therapy. Meditate. Exercise. Drink enough water. Get enough sleep. Eat healthily. Have other artistic interests. Listen to music. Go to museums. Walk. Experience nature. Communicate with the people you love. Invest in meaningful friendships and relationships.
And then send out a lot of emails to clubs asking them to book you.
(Sincerely, the specific answer to this question is going to vary so much based on so many individual circumstances. How long have you been doing comedy? How much time do you have? How much time do you REALLY have? Where do you live? What is the comedy scene like there? Can you move? Do you want to travel? Are you already a famous TikTok star? That sort of thing.)
LL: What is your comedy horror story?
Myq: Good question! I’ve experienced MANY gigs that were horrifying in ways, but because I’m no longer in those situations, I am now able to consider those situations funny.
For example, one time I was filling in for a friend at a show, and I was introduced like this: “Our original comedian couldn’t make it, because one of her parents just died of cancer, so please welcome Myq Kaplan!”
Can you believe that horror story about my friend’s parent dying happened to ME?
Sincerely, one of the beautiful things ABOUT comedy is its capacity to alchemize horrors into art, to be able to laugh at and through them.
Like, my grandmother died a few years ago, and now I share stories about her in my comedy. May her memory be a lucrative comedy blessing, and may all horrors be alchemizable.
Mr. Rogers always said “If it’s mentionable, it’s manageable.”
I’ll tweak that to offer this: “If it’s laughable, it’s livable. And maybe even lovable.”
Comics love to ask the audience questions, but it’s usually a crutch, and a bad idea unless you are the host working the crowd.
For example, you have a joke about the movie Ferris Bueller.
You ask the audience, “Anyone here remember the movie, Ferris Bueller?”
Half the audience is too young to remember the movie; the other half is wary that you’re going to call on them and do cringy crowd work. So, everyone’s silent.
Now, you are boxed into the corner of saying, “Really? No one has heard of Ferris Bueller? It has Matthew Broderick and What’s-Her-Name in it?”
And then you limp into the Ferris Bueller joke with your confidence shot.
Wait a minute, Creig. Are you talking about all questions? What about when I get to the mic and say, “How’s everyone doing tonight?”
Please stop asking that question. It’s awkward and no one responds. Think of a better way to seem like you care about the audience.
Do you ask questions, Creig?
Yes, sometimes I do and usually regret it. Usually as an awkward segue into my dog jokes. “Is this a dog crowd?” There are better ways to transition.
Aren’t there good uses of questions?
Sure, but don’t ask, “Anyone here remember what happened on Season 2, Episode 3 of Star Trek: Next Generation? No one will respond. Will that keep you from doing your Star Trek joke? No. Then stop asking and just do the joke.
What is a good example of a question?
You could be really absurd, like asking if people have ever heard of cats. Or asking if people know something very esoteric. Basically, if the question itself is part of the joke and you can riff off a response or no response.
And if you do crowd work you pretty much have to ask questions, but you better be ready with answers.
What’s the bottom line?
Don’t set up your bits by asking if the audience is familiar with whatever subject you are about to tell a joke about. It will not get a reaction 99% of the time and drains all the momentum you’ve built up. You have built up momentum, haven’t you?
A list of the upcoming comedy shows and open mics in the Louisville area and information to sign up or order tickets. You can also sign up to get on stage yourself.
SIGN UP TO PERFORM
Sign up to perform at Louisville Laughs open mics HERE
Sign up to be considered for Louisville Laughs shows or showcasesHERE
CHECK OUT UPCOMING SHOWS AND OPEN MICS
Wednesday, Sept. 2
7 p.m. — Louisville Laughs presents: Wednesday Open Mic at TEN20 with guest host Jamie Shade and special guest Griffin Sciarra, TEN20 Craft Brewery. Free tickets. Sign up to perform HERE
8 p.m. — The LRS Laugh Lounge open mic comedy, Mr. G’s Comedy Spot, Middletown. Free. Show up and sign up.
8:30 p. m. — Dive Bar mic, dive Bar on Frankfort, 2235 Frankfort Ave, Louisville. Free. To sign up email divebarmic@gmail.com
Friday, Sept. 25
1 p.m. — LaughWest presents: DayLaughing with Friends clean, family-friendly open mic, Canvas and Cocktails, 2804 Crums Lane, Shively.Sign up to perform
8 p.m. — The LRS Laugh Lounge open mic comedy, Mr. G’s Comedy Spot, Middletown. Free. Show up and sign up.
8:30 p. m. — Dive Bar mic, dive Bar on Frankfort, 2235 Frankfort Ave, Louisville. Free. To sign up email divebarmic@gmail.com
Friday, Oct. 2
1 p.m. — LaughWest presents: DayLaughing with Friends clean, family-friendly open mic, Canvas and Cocktails, 2804 Crums Lane, Shively.Sign up to perform
To sign up for weekly Wednesday open mics with Louisville Laughs plus other monthly mics, fill out this form
Sundays — The Sunday Sh!t Show, all-entertainment showcase with Uncool Randy, Planet of the Tapes. Message @UncoolRandy on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. Starting Nov. 10, signups will start at 5 p.m. and show at 5:30
Sundays — Comedy Attack! open mic, Kaiju. First Sunday of the month. Show up and sign upstarting at 9:30 p.m.
Mondays — The Planet of the Tapes Monday Mic, Planet of the Tapes. Show starts at 7:30 p.m. To sign up, email planetofthetapesopenmic@gmail.com
Wednesdays — The Wednesday Comedy Late Mic, Jane, 712 E. Market Street. Sign ups at 9:30
Thursdays — The LRS Laugh Lounge open mic comedy,Mr. G’s Comedy Spot, Middletown, 8 p.m. Show up and sign up.
Thursdays — Dive Bar mic, dive Bar on Frankfort, 2235 Frankfort Ave, Louisville, 8:30 p.m. To sign up email divebarmic@gmail.com
Fridays — LaughWest presents: DayLaughing with Friends clean family-friendly open mic at 1 p.m. Canvas and Cocktails, 2804 Crums Lane, Shively.Sign up to perform
A list of the upcoming comedy shows and open mics in the Louisville area and information to sign up or order tickets. You can also sign up to get on stage yourself.
SIGN UP TO PERFORM
Sign up to perform at Louisville Laughs open mics HERE
Sign up to be considered for Louisville Laughs shows or showcasesHERE
7 p.m. — Louisville Laughs presents: Wednesday Open Mic at TEN20 with guest host Aimee Jewell and special guest Mr. Bikey, TEN20 Craft Brewery. Free. Sign up to perform HERE
5:30 p.m. — The Sunday Sh!t Show, all-entertainment showcase with Uncool Randy, Planet of the Tapes. Signups starting at 5 p.m.
TO SIGN UP FOR OPEN MICS
To sign up for weekly Wednesday open mics with Louisville Laughs plus other monthly mics, fill out this form
Sundays — The Sunday Sh!t Show, all-entertainment showcase with Uncool Randy, Planet of the Tapes. Message @UncoolRandy on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. Starting Nov. 10, signups will start at 5 p.m. and show at 5:30
Sundays — Comedy Attack! open mic, Kaiju. First Sunday of the month. Show up and sign upstarting at 9:30 p.m.
Mondays — The Planet of the Tapes Monday Mic, Planet of the Tapes. Show starts at 7:30 p.m. To sign up, email planetofthetapesopenmic@gmail.com
A list of the upcoming comedy shows and open mics in the Louisville area and information to sign up or order tickets. You can also sign up to get on stage yourself.
SIGN UP TO PERFORM
Sign up to perform at Louisville Laughs open mics HERE
Sign up to be considered for Louisville Laughs shows or showcasesHERE
CHECK OUT UPCOMING SHOWS AND OPEN MICS
Wednesday, Aug. 19
7 p.m. — Louisville Laughs presents: Wednesday Open Mic at TEN20 with guest host Ben Scobee and special guest Desirae Duncan, TEN20 Craft Brewery. Free. Sign up to perform HERE
5:30 p.m. — The Sunday Sh!t Show, all-entertainment showcase with Uncool Randy, Planet of the Tapes. Signups starting at 5 p.m.
TO SIGN UP FOR OPEN MICS
To sign up for weekly Wednesday open mics with Louisville Laughs plus other monthly mics, fill out this form
Sundays — The Sunday Sh!t Show, all-entertainment showcase with Uncool Randy, Planet of the Tapes. Message @UncoolRandy on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. Starting Nov. 10, signups will start at 5 p.m. and show at 5:30
Sundays — Comedy Attack! open mic, Kaiju. First Sunday of the month. Show up and sign upstarting at 9:30 p.m.
Mondays — The Planet of the Tapes Monday Mic, Planet of the Tapes. Show starts at 7:30 p.m. To sign up, email planetofthetapesopenmic@gmail.com
A list of the upcoming comedy shows and open mics in the Louisville area and information to sign up or order tickets. You can also sign up to get on stage yourself.
SIGN UP TO PERFORM
Sign up to perform at Louisville Laughs open mics HERE
Sign up to be considered for Louisville Laughs shows or showcasesHERE
8 p.m. — Not Tonight Comedy Show open mic, Hereafter Louisville. Free. Signups at 7:30 p.m.
10 p.m. — Stand & Deliver variety open mic, Kaiju. Signups at 9:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 19
7 p.m. — Louisville Laughs presents: Wednesday Open Mic at TEN20 with guest host Ben Scobee and special guest Desirae Duncan, TEN20 Craft Brewery. Free. Sign up to perform HERE
To sign up for weekly Wednesday open mics with Louisville Laughs plus other monthly mics, fill out this form
Sundays — The Sunday Sh!t Show, all-entertainment showcase with Uncool Randy, Planet of the Tapes. Message @UncoolRandy on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. Starting Nov. 10, signups will start at 5 p.m. and show at 5:30
Sundays — Comedy Attack! open mic, Kaiju. First Sunday of the month. Show up and sign upstarting at 9:30 p.m.
Mondays — The Planet of the Tapes Monday Mic, Planet of the Tapes. Show starts at 7:30 p.m. To sign up, email planetofthetapesopenmic@gmail.com
